 "Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan")
Strict measures are being taken by the Kerala Police to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown in Kerala, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday as the state started the nine-day lockdown.
The Chief Minister also asked citizens to avoid inter-district travel, except in cases of death or illness.
"Strict measures are being taken by @TheKeralaPolice to enforce the lockdown. Passes for emergency travel and the model of affidavit can be obtained through http://pass.bsafe.kerala.gov.in. Inter-District travel isn't encouraged, except in cases of death or severe illness," Vijayan tweeted.
The state woke up to deserted streets and closed shops as the eight-day statewide lockdown came into effect from 6 am Saturday.
Earlier on Thursday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced a state-wide lockdown till May 16 to tackle the second wave of the COVID-19 in the state.
The chief minister had on Wednesday highlighted the "serious situation of COVID" in the state and indicated the possibility of a lockdown, saying that the "situation calls for imposing more restrictions in the state".
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Kerala on Saturday reported 41,971 new cases, 27,456 recoveries and 64 deaths in the last 24 hours, the health department informed.
There are currently 4,17,101 active cases. A total of 14,43,633 recoveries and 5,746 deaths have been reported so far.
